SFBM Press Reviews Options

[edstipe]

Here's a review I haven't seen posted here yet from www.bullz-eye.com:


Live:
Songs from Black Mountain

3 stars (out of 5)

Label: Epic Records
Released: 2006


As one of the few bands remaining from the early ‘90s modern rock movement who is legitimately making a statement with new music, Live offers up Songs from Black Mountain, their seventh studio release in 15 years. From the opening strums of the new single, “The River,” the still-reliable formula of power chords and soulful melodies hasn’t changed. Much like 2003’s Birds of Pray and 2001’s V before it, this new endeavor tangles with subjects torn straight from today’s headlines, most obviously the war in Iraq.

Never one to bury his bald head in the sand, Ed Kowalczyk again raises the band’s lightning rod and lets his political voice rip. It should be noted, however, that Kowalczyk’s opinions have always had a spiritual bias – an underlying love of humanity if you will – both here and afar, rather than him just being an overbearing, “fuck everything!” blowhard. If he wants to punch you in the face for choosing abortion over life or for supporting a ban on gay marriage, chances are he’ll lull you into a peaceful sleep with song first.

On the kinder, gentler “Get Ready,” Kowalczyk preaches, “The future is now, the past is gone forever, we can come together, the light is our way.” You can almost picture him leading a packed house in verse at the local outdoor amphitheater this summer like Jim Jones in Guyana. Regardless of the theme, Live does have a knack for wrapping the darkest anthems in sugary, upbeat melodies. Given adequate hooks, even a tragic composition like “Where Do We Go from Here?,” with lines like “I wanted to dream, but you made me sleep” or “How do we face our fears with nothing in our hearts?”, manages to soar.

Whether a diehard fan or someone who hasn’t bought anything since the landmark Throwing Copper, there is enough musical life within Black Mountain to keep it interesting and make it worthwhile. Beyond “The River”, choice cuts like “Wings” and “Love Shines” stand out from a handful of mediocre entries. As with most prior Live works, the music is only half the equation. Listening to Black Mountain is not just about hearing a really good, tight band who’s endured a decade and a half without membership change. It’s just as much about taking a crash course in current events, politics, religion, and humankind.

~Red Rocker

redrocker@bullz-eye.com

http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/redrock...ck_mountain.htm

This post has been edited by edstipe: Jun 12 2006, 8:41 pm

[edstipe]

And another from Billboard.com (finally a source most people are familiar with!)

No overall "score" for this one, just a review:

Songs From Black Mountain - LIVE
Release Date: June 06, 2006
Producer(s): Jim Wirt
Genre: ROCK
Label: Epic

More than a decade removed from its "Throwing Copper" heyday, Live has settled too comfortably into the skin of a middle-of-the-road rock act. Although the thinking-man's group remains consummate performers, 10 cuts on "Songs From Black Mountain" are inspired by vocalist Ed Kowalczyk giving thanks to his personal muses. There is nothing wrong with gratitude, but all the music comes across as the same languid love song ("The River," "Mystery," "Get Ready"). In keeping with the title, lyrical references to nature, a tempered electronic sound and acoustic guitar give the set a country air. "Night of Nights" offers much-needed edginess, while "Sophia" and "Where Do We Go From Here?" are glimpses of Live's earlier rock boldness. A longer visit with those seminal days would have been nice. —Christa L. Titus

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/reviews/alb...t_id=1002651116

[brett]

2 outta 5 stars from Rolling Stone.


You gotta hand it to Live for sticking to their guns. Long after Creed and other irony-deficient Nineties rock acts hung it up or changed their stripes, Live have stubbornly stayed true to their original sound and have managed to actually maintain an active fan base -- particularly in Europe, where they remain huge. The problem is that now, on their seventh album, singer and primary songwriter Ed Kowalczyk is revisiting themes (Eastern religion, the futility of war and Kowalczyk's love for his wife and daughters) he's been mining for years. The band's signature sound of slowly rising choruses punctuated by Kowalczyk's rumbling wail has also grown quite stale. "Home," the only topical song on the album, is perhaps the most inoffensive anti-war song ever written: It channels a grieving wife actually crying, "Politics aside, what I'd give to have him here tonight."


ANDY GREEN

(Posted: Jun, 13 2006)

[NectarDan]

Here's a new one from redandblack.com...

LIVE releases Creed-like album

By KELLY SKINNER
Published , June 15, 2006, 06:00:01 AM EDT

There was once a group of musicians collectively called LIVE. It was a rock band that rocked hard and angry and beautiful too.

Ed Kowalczyk had that distinct, charged voice that could be recognized anywhere. Songs like “The Dolphin’s Cry” or “Lightning Crashes” could send chills down a person’s back. They were energy songs and passion songs.

This was the LIVE of the ‘90s, and, as bands are known to do, the band kept making albums.

Since it’s close to impossible to do better than a No. 1 album (1994’s “Throwing Copper”), LIVE’s done with its most recent album what many artists have done before — reinvented itself.

LIVE has reinvented themselves into Creed in order to create “Songs from Black Mountain.”

Maybe these were wise financial decisions, but how much does a person need in exchange for his soul?

LIVE has transformed itself, true, but not necessarily into a better band.

Listeners that crave raw emotion and the overall intensity of the old LIVE will be dumbfounded.

The album’s tracks are forced and cheesy and guitar riffs are repetitive and bland. In addition, variety from song to song is non-existent.

This album is not necessarily “bad.” It will actually be a big hit for a few key groups of listeners:

1. Creed fanatics who don’t mind their favorite band being royally ripped off. Either that or they don’t realize that they have actually bought a LIVE album instead of a Creed album. They may think this is a great Creed performance recorded LIVE at a place called Black Mountain.

2. People that need some music for cleaning the house or doing long distance driving — monotonous, steady and loud enough to ensure them they’re not falling asleep.

Just because this album is a dud doesn’t mean that Creed — I mean, LIVE — can’t redeem itself.

Johnny Depp has had his share of bad “experiments,” and Gwen Stefani, without a doubt, has had her ups and downs.

In all honesty, this album isn’t terrible. It just doesn’t meet the expectations of someone hoping for a great new LIVE album.

But then again, not everyone can be a renaissance band.

Save that for people like The Beatles, or Beck.

LIVE
Album: “Songs From Black Mountain”
Grade: C-
Verdict: For those hoping for another “Throwing Copper,” LIVE is DEAD.

[blue23]

Here's a new one from redandblack.com...

LIVE releases Creed-like album

By KELLY SKINNER
Published , June 15, 2006, 06:00:01 AM EDT

There was once a group of musicians collectively called LIVE. It was a rock band that rocked hard and angry and beautiful too.

Ed Kowalczyk had that distinct, charged voice that could be recognized anywhere. Songs like “The Dolphin’s Cry” or “Lightning Crashes” could send chills down a person’s back. They were energy songs and passion songs.

This was the LIVE of the ‘90s, and, as bands are known to do, the band kept making albums.

Since it’s close to impossible to do better than a No. 1 album (1994’s “Throwing Copper”), LIVE’s done with its most recent album what many artists have done before — reinvented itself.

LIVE has reinvented themselves into Creed in order to create “Songs from Black Mountain.”

Maybe these were wise financial decisions, but how much does a person need in exchange for his soul?

LIVE has transformed itself, true, but not necessarily into a better band.

Listeners that crave raw emotion and the overall intensity of the old LIVE will be dumbfounded.

The album’s tracks are forced and cheesy and guitar riffs are repetitive and bland. In addition, variety from song to song is non-existent.

This album is not necessarily “bad.” It will actually be a big hit for a few key groups of listeners:

1. Creed fanatics who don’t mind their favorite band being royally ripped off. Either that or they don’t realize that they have actually bought a LIVE album instead of a Creed album. They may think this is a great Creed performance recorded LIVE at a place called Black Mountain.

2. People that need some music for cleaning the house or doing long distance driving — monotonous, steady and loud enough to ensure them they’re not falling asleep.

Just because this album is a dud doesn’t mean that Creed — I mean, LIVE — can’t redeem itself.

Johnny Depp has had his share of bad “experiments,” and Gwen Stefani, without a doubt, has had her ups and downs.

In all honesty, this album isn’t terrible. It just doesn’t meet the expectations of someone hoping for a great new LIVE album.

But then again, not everyone can be a renaissance band.

Save that for people like The Beatles, or Beck.

LIVE
Album: “Songs From Black Mountain”
Grade: C-
Verdict: For those hoping for another “Throwing Copper,” LIVE is DEAD.

Beck???!!! Are you f#cking kidding me?? Beck is a pretty good artist but you can't compare him to Live. Just because of the first 4 albums Live has put out, you can't compare. Man, some of these so called reviewers need to get a freakin' clue. By the way, what's the word on the new "Mystery" single with Chris D.??

This post has been edited by blue23: Jun 16 2006, 2:01 am

[Maggie]

I found this one from The Citizen in SA:

SFBM review

Nice one!

[livefan1999]

I found this one from The Citizen in SA:

SFBM review

Nice one!

Maggie, thank you so much for that review link. I have read so many reviews which appear to be copied from the first negative review with the only new item added being the author's name. Same old, same old about how the band has "lost their credibility" by performing on AI and that the new cd is too "poppy" and not as "angst-ridden" as it should be. I totally enjoy this new cd and I'm so tired of all of the negativity.

This article you sent is good because it offers the writer's viewpoint on the cd, individual songs, etc. However, the most important part is that the time was taken to get statements from the band through Ed to offer explanations on where they've been, where they're at, and where they plan to go.

I had just read this review in a paper in Live's home state and sent off in return a letter to the editor of that paper telling them why I thought their review was flawed, including the fact that they don't seem to know much about what Live has done and is doing. Not just on cd, but in their touring act, etc. Here's the link to that article, although it doesn't say anything new, just the typical negativity: http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader...nt/14918593.htm

Thanks again for the chance to read an interesting and positive review!

This post has been edited by livefan1999: Jun 28 2006, 3:20 pm

[Maggie]

Maggie, thank you so much for that review link. I have read so many reviews which appear to be copied from the first negative review with the only new item added being the author's name. Same old, same old about how the band has "lost their credibility" by performing on AI and that the new cd is too "poppy" and not as "angst-ridden" as it should be. I totally enjoy this new cd and I'm so tired of all of the negativity.

This article you sent is good because it offers the writer's viewpoint on the cd, individual songs, etc. However, the most important part is that the time was taken to get statements from the band through Ed to offer explanations on where they've been, where they're at, and where they plan to go.

It's a pleasure! I also thought it was different than all the other reviews.

[Senghe]

Here's a new one from redandblack.com...

LIVE releases Creed-like album

Now although I think SFBM is mediocre, there's NO WAY it's pretentious or annoyingly bombastic enough to deserve to be compared to a Creed album!

[Lively Chick]

1. Creed fanatics who don’t mind their favorite band being royally ripped off. Either that or they don’t realize that they have actually bought a LIVE album instead of a Creed album. They may think this is a great Creed performance recorded LIVE at a place called Black Mountain.

Did this fool ever listen to Creed at all. I love Creed's albums and that yummy Mark Tremonti but come on now, Live is absolutely nothing like Creed. Live is my fav band and is just in ( or was, hopefully again ) a class by themselves. I know a lot of you hate Creed but they rocked hard and as much as I love Chad T, his guitar riffs, even on his best days, can't even hold a candle to Mark Tremonti's kick ass guitar riffs . That fool needs to go listen again. Creed is the only band I liked that did not yodel . But man, Stapp wrote some great lyrics and those Tremonti riffs seduced the hell out of me

[sandkind]

Did this fool ever listen to Creed at all. I love Creed's albums and that yummy Mark Tremonti but come on now, Live is absolutely nothing like Creed. Live is my fav band and is just in ( or was, hopefully again ) a class by themselves. I know a lot of you hate Creed but they rocked hard and as much as I love Chad T, his guitar riffs, even on his best days, can't even hold a candle to Mark Tremonti's kick ass guitar riffs . That fool needs to go listen again. Creed is the only band I liked that did not yodel . But man, Stapp wrote some great lyrics and those Tremonti riffs seduced the hell out of me

i agree, i hear no creed whatsoever in live's music. i don't care for creed, but i agree that tremonti is a technically superior guitarist. don't like stapp at all and think their split was the best thing that could have happened to them. i have not heard very much altered bridge, but i did like what i heard.

[NectarDan]

http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=883

Live
Songs From Black Mountain
Epic, 2006

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Live has drained any sense of drama from its music. Ironic, considering the group's breakthrough mid-'90s smash "Lightning Crashes" is built upon the wonderfully overwrought theatrics that marked so many bands making it big in the Grunge Decade. While steadily becoming a colorless, indifferent musical act, frontman Ed Kowalczyk has also chased his mounting fascination with deities of all stripes into an ever-darker abyss; first making known his love of pseudo-religious iconography with the puzzling 1997 semi-masterpiece Secret Samadhi, Kowalczyk has only amplified the gobbledy-gook with each successive release. Fond of fashioning lyrics that seem profound when sung but ridiculous when read, Live has become a parody of its muscular, sleek, and righteously angry former self. Songs From Black Mountain, the band's first collection of new material since the backward glance of Awake: The Best Of Live, is a remarkable modern rock achievement since none of the songs sound dissimilar. Twelve tracks of AOR-ready pabulum that run together like grade-Z lunchroom oatmeal: lumpy, gray, and completely tasteless. The songs are mercifully brief, none clocking in at longer than four minutes, and strap on a bib—the lowlights are plentiful. The howling blandness of anti-war ditty "Home," the plodding "Get Ready," the suffocating sweetness of "Love Shines (A Song For My Daughters About God)," and the piercing, overwrought "Mystery" are but a few of the sonic potholes marring this tired disc. As someone who endlessly spun the inexplicably catchy Secret Samadhi and counts Throwing Copper among the great albums of the '90s, it's sad to see a once-promising band reduced to dribbling out a mewling, half-baked effort such as this, an album with no redeeming value beyond soundtracking your next visit to Supercuts.

1.5 out of 5 stars

Preston Jones
© slant magazine, 2006.

[aLIVEinNORWAY]

[quote
Thanks again for the chance to read an interesting and positive review!
[/quote]

Sorry to disapoint you livefan1999, heres another bad rewiev. From a Norwegian papper called "Dagsavisen". SFTBM gets 1 out of 6.
I remember this paper gave SS 5 out of 6...but that was back in the glory days. Thanks to my mother in law for the translation.


Words about love
Rock
Live
“Songs from the Black Mountain”

1 2 3 4 5 6

That Live represent empty, pompous, pseudo-alternative American Stadium rock at its worst is something we already know. But still, let us linger a while with this disc to see what one of the worlds best selling rock groups can get away with regarding texts.

This time they are singing about love: “Bring your burnin’ skin to my river once again” (“The River” – the most tender love song since Spinal Taps “Lick my Love Pump”)

“You lead my heart away like a homeless dusted fool” (“Mystery”). “The beach is washing away/come on get ready/the high tide of our love is here to stay” (“Get ready”) And this is only the three first songs. OK, we’ll have a look at one more, from song number four “You are my diamond of grace/angelic little devil of the most secret space” (“Show”)

And so it continues, with hopeless, clumsy metaphors and glaring banalities throughout the whole record. Perhaps Live should write the next Norwegian Idol-single.

[livefan1999]

quote: aLiveinNorway
"Sorry to disapoint you livefan1999, heres another bad rewiev. From a Norwegian papper called "Dagsavisen". SFTBM gets 1 out of 6.
I remember this paper gave SS 5 out of 6...but that was back in the glory days. Thanks to my mother in law for the translation."


Hey, no problem on the negative review. At least from my point of view in reading them. I have my opinion of SFBM and it is a good one. I enjoy the cd.

The only reason I hate all of the negative reviews is I wonder how they impact Ed and the rest of the band. Judging from the interviews Ed has been doing on radio and other press media, as well as comments I've seen made by other band members, they're thumbing their noses at the negative reviews and continuing to move forward.

There are good reviews out there and bad reviews. I tend to forget the negative ones fairly quickly and remember the good ones. Here is the latest that falls into the positive category:

Long Island Press - 7/20/06

Arts & Entertainment - All the Music News That's Fit for Print

» Live "Love Shines (A Message for My Daughters)"
[from the Epic/Red Ink release Songs From Black Mountain]

Live's Ed Kowalczyk has certainly had his share of overly earnest moments ("The Dolphin's Cry" anyone?), but despite the cynical brickbats tossed by many a hip-leaning scribe, this ode to Kowalczyk's kids is a heartfelt message of hope, wrapped in acoustic guitars and sumptuous harmonies, that rings especially true given how much grimmer current events have gotten of late.

This post has been edited by livefan1999: Jul 20 2006, 4:11 pm

[aLIVEinNORWAY]

I have my opinion of SFBM and it is a good one. I enjoy the cd.

Thats my opinion too, and Love Shines is